One of the big issues in Delhi this week is the murder of a 25-year old TV Journalist on Tuesday morning about 3.40am (she was shot while driving her car).  A comment from a chief minister (woman), which has certainly outraged friends and colleagues of Miss Soumya, was that she should not be ”adventurous” in driving at such a time in the city - Indicating that women should not be out alone at such an hour (meaning without a male escort).

Dengue cases are on a rise in the city (need to wear that mosquito repellent)… 599 to date.  No worries – it was much worse in Rio, Brazil.

The President of India is speaking very favorably about the N (nuclear)-deal that passed the Senate yesterday, saying it is a historical moment for the US.  (As we all know, India stands to gain a lot with this arrangement….)

Things to buy in New Delhi:  Kashmir Rugs (I bought a GORGEOUS one yesterday for my sweetie!).  Kashmir is suffering because it’s no longer safe for tourists to visit.  There is much political unrest and the city is under a government lock down.  Therefore, the government allows “brokers” to bring various items, rugs, clothing, etc. to Delhi to sell on behalf of the families.  I went to such a government-approved place yesterday and the quality of the rugs was amazing.  The rug I wanted was $22K (USD)! WOW, was it FANTASTIC….but I found a much more affordable one to give to Richard for our anniversary…;)  Each rug comes with a book of history about the family, how the rug was made, the quality and the story on the rug.  My rug has a “hunting scene”, which I really liked (the colors will match my home…) and it’s just neat.

Kashmir Green Tea, in my opinion, is the best in the world! Wow, am I looking forward to trying ALL the green teas here!

I’m still confused on the tipping issues.  I think it’s customary to tip 5-10% at restaurants – tipping is not accepted at the hotel (personal trainers are complimentary at the hotel and they won’t accept tips – my trainer, Arun, even printed out my exercises for me to do later), but baggage handlers/bell hops take tips.

I weigh 52 kgs….I like that – 52!!! (I have yet to convert it) and why is the US the ONLY country that doesn’t use the metric system?

Palin is even in the news here……

Happy Gandhi Jayanti!!!

Today is the last day of Ramadan, an Islamic fasting ritual.  Therefore, today is the day of feasting!  All over India, I saw Muslims dressed in brandnew clothes (it’s tradition to buy a new dress, etc…just like our Easter) for the feasting…after one month of fasting – today you get to EAT!  And often times, I saw whole families traveling to that family gathering on one motorcycle!  They can get about 4 (sometimes 5) people on them! 

Not only is today special with the Muslims, but it’s a national holiday (yay for me, I missed all the Delhi traffic) – it’s Ghandi Jayanti Day as well as Global Non-Violence Day AND a few other festivals were happening (which I didn’t quite get).  However, the mood here is very sober with all the bombings as of late.  There have been quite a few bombings in the city over the last few weeks (more than I think I read about in the US), by an Islamic terrorist group.  The city is almost in lock down mode, it appears….armed guards EVERYWHERE – even with little barricades and machine guns…(yeah!)….My hotel has armed guards that search the car/trunk when we drive in….(Steph – was this normal when you were here?)

But, I have to say, Delhi is fabulous!  It’s very green – they boast having the most trees of any city in the world – and I believe them!  But, it is VERY HOT and HUMID!! Holy COW!  Let’s say, August in Houston?  And there is quite a bit of pollution in the air – lots of dust!

My guide of the city is fantastic (thank you Steph for that recommendation!!) and the hotel is certainly high end….(Steph, they must have finished the construction since you were here…).  I was in the gym this morning and I had about 3 trainers to help me – ALL complimentary!  So, I got one heck of an ab workout this morning (so needed it!) (Mag – the gym is nicer than the Rio one…)…so, I’m happy – and they have free yoga…..(I am in heaven)…

Today we started out at the Red Fort (1639-1648), which is Old Delhi’s largest monument.  I learned there are about EIGHT Delhi’s…New Delhi is the 8th, Old Delhi is the 7th city centered around a mosque (On this street there was even a Baptist Church! So many variances!).  After the Red Fort, I went to my first mosque! It was after the morning prayer, so we could enter (women are not allowed for religious ceremonies)….of course, you must remove your shoes and for some reason I HAD TO COVER UP! WHAT?   My guide argued this one, because no one else dressed like me had to cover up (I wore a tee shirt and jeans, so I would be allowed into the mosques…SO…..maybe it was the boobs? Don’t know….LOL)  Anyway, I had to wear a….hmm…not sure what to call it – a cover! haha…It was really neat though – it was India’s largest mosque, Jami Masjid – the spiritual center of Shahjahanabad.  People were still praying – there are little spots on the floor to mark a “prayer spot” for each individual…..

After the mosque, we were able to go to the Gandhi Memorial at Raj Ghat – which was REALLY busy as it was Gandhi’s birthday (Oct 2nd).  There were fresh flowers laid out on the grounds in designs (see photos on facebook) and they were having a ceremony there as well (YES, I had to remove the shoes…getting that Pedi was a smart move!).

I then toured the Victorian section of New Delhi, the government buildings (very British!) and stopped at the India Gate (All India War Memorial for WWI and Afghan Wars.)  Another landmark that we stopped at was the fluted red sandstone tower of Qutb Minar.  It was started in 1199, and tapers upward, with intricate carvings and inscribed verses.

The last stop was 1564 Humayun’s Tomb, an example of Persian and Indian styles of building in Asia.  Very magnificent!  It was a tomb built for a husband by a wife (Taj Mahal was built by a husband for a wife).

Lunch was another experience…I ordered a rice/chicken dish – “mild”…took one bite and couldn’t talk for five minutes.  Ok, so no spices for me!  And they had the “after dinner Indian mint” thing again (I sampled this on the plane)…it’s a mixture of sugar and fennel seeds, rosemary, etc. , that together tastes like black liquorice and is suppossed to help withyour breath/digestion after curry…..maybe so, but I hate liqourice! haha…

Other interesting observations: 

Holding hands among men is very common – no, not a couple, they just do it.

If your an American woman, traveling alone – be prepared to be stared at.  I mean gawking, staring…yep, like you’re from another planet. ha! Very interesting…..

After 24 hours or so of travel, I’m finally in New Delhi at the Taj Mahal Hotel.  I’m exhausted (it’s about 10:45 pm here), so this will be a short post.  But my first impressions are:  everyone is SO Friendly!  The Hotel is fabulous (it seems brand new) and the service is outstanding! (I’m surprised).  I forgot that India used to be a British Commonwealth so the cars/driving are “British”….”backwards for us, Americans”.  I did learn that 8-8:30pm is “rush hour” for everyone here, so it was a little crowded coming from the airport.  Even though it was dark, I saw many sorts of vehicles:  cars, motercycles, rickshaws, ELEPHANT, men pushing carts…etc.  And it’s really, really dusty and hot.  But, like Houston – hot and humid (I’d say it’s about 80-90 degrees tonight). 

It’s been a long day (well, lost a day, I think – it’s almost Thursday for me) – so I’m off to bed – I have a long day of adventure tomorrow!

Namaste!!

My big adventure starts tomorrow morning and it has finally sunk in THAT I’M GOING TO INDIA – ALONE!  What the heck was I thinking?  By myself? WHAT?!?!  Breathe 

I just have to remind myself of why I’m going.  And that was?????  hmmm……OH, yes, for the experience.  To learn about another culture, to learn the basics/beginnings of Hatha Yoga (I so love my Bikram Yoga practice), to become a better person by expanding my view of the world.  Knowledge and Understanding…..I will just repeat that over and over tomorrow when I get off the plane and am in shock by my surroundings….

But, then again….maybe I won’t be shocked? 

I look forward to staying connected and updating all of you with my adventures.  It does give me a feeling of security that at any time, on the other side of the world, I can still pick up the phone or email.  Amazing how that puts me at ease…

Next stop – New Delhi!

Namaste!!!

I have read my mandatory readings (a little overwhelming), watched the recommended videos and practiced yoga consistently since June (everyday except since Ike); I’ve gotten all my vaccinations, visa, first aid kit, etc; booked the pet sitter, house sitter, pool maintenance….I even have my “Beamer’s Cup” for photos at the Taj (that’s for you, R!)….I am READY!  (Although not quite ready for the 15 hour flight from NYC to ND or the 10.5 hours time difference, no phone calls without checking the time….LOL!)

Although, it’s a little long for a post, see the page with “Fast Facts about India” for a little education on where I’ll be going…..

Namaste!

Howdy all!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock – you know that I’m FINALLY headed to India.  I’ve wanted to go for awhile – since 2005!  It’s been a challenge scheduling such a big trip, but I have managed to combine two of my favorite past times – travel and fitness.  I will be completing my very first yoga certification from Yogalife based out of New Delhi.  This is a 4 week Hatha Yoga program that will provide a great base for future yoga and fitness training. 

First stop – New Delhi then on to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.  (I have a “bucket list” or really “list of travel goals” that I’ve been working on the past couple of years and that’s to see the seven wonders of the world by the time that I’m 40.  After the Taj, I’m only missing three, so not too bad!)  After about 5 days of exploring, I am headed to Mcleodganj, Dharmashala in the foothills of the Himalayans for yoga training. 

This will be an intensive four weeks, although I don’t think it will be as grueling as going to Bikram Yoga training (for nine weeks), which is also something that I’d like to do.   I’ve been preparing with the suggested readings/videos and am looking forward to learning more about the orgins of “yoga” and what it can do.  Of course, I’ve been praticing for a few years, but there is so much to learn and remember.  

The homework thus far has covered many topics, but what I’ve found really insightful is the study of behavioral kinesiology; how our thoughts can change the cell makeup of our bodies.  I also touched on this in my A&P class over the summer, but it’s amazing just how what we think about ourselves can really make us sick!  Of course, I hear this on the mat in Bikram Yoga, daily; but am I really listening?

This will prove to be an exciting and very educational trip (oh, the cultural differences) and I’m going to do my best to share the really interesting aspects with this blog.  At least I’ll share what’s interesting to me…haha!

To be continued…..

Tour De Pink -08